Hot Stove: Sunday Brunch

It would take an unprecedented haul to acquire Stanton. The Phillies are asking but are not likely to be a good match.

In on Stanton? Probably just “tire kicking”

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote today that the Phillies are among a pool of teams, including the Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, and Orioles, who have called the Marlins about Giancarlo Stanton. I’m not sure there has ever been such a remarkably talented player at Stanton’s age to possibly be on the block ever. With that said, it would take such an unprecedented haul to acquire Stanton right now that I’m not sure any of the teams listed have the pieces to provide market value to the Fish. I definitely see this as a “due diligence” move, particularly when the Cubs, who have one of the least-deep systems in baseball, have started kicking the tires. Cafardo also wrote that the Red Sox are getting deeper in negotiations with Nick Swisher, a potential Phillies target.

A Madson Return to Philly Unlikely

Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet tweeted today that “it doesn’t look like” Ryan Madson will rejoin the Phils but that things are “getting hot” with Madson and the Angels. Madson has been looking for an opportunity to close but may have to settle for a set-up man role to rebuild his value.

Upton to decide this week

Mark Tompkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported thatB.J. Upton will make a decision this week, noting that Upton is now also at the top of the Braves’ free-agent wishlist. Hang on tight for this one – this one will set the dominoes falling.